Category: RC Rock Crawlers

RC rock crawling is not a fast-paced sport. It isn't about quickness but it is approximately ability and maneuverability -- navigating road blocks and extremely unequal, rocky surfaces that lots of other RCs can't deal with. Although some RC monster vehicles and truggies are designed for rough ground, a specialized school of RC -- rock crawlers -- are made to perform better still on the stones. But if you need any repair, don't go calling a mobile mechanic perth - coz you need a real hobbyist for it.

RC Rock Crawler Characteristics

Although you do not necessarily desire a specialised vehicle -- stock RC monster vehicles are designed for some informal climbing -- increasingly more specialized RCs can be found. There's also a few features that are normal to many RCs used for climbing if they come that way to avoid it of the pack or the features are added when changing monster vehicles or other RCs for rock crawling fun. This list is not designed to be a complete check out RC rock crawlers but it can add a few key characteristics.Power. For rock crawling you want more manipulated power (torque) alternatively than broadband and high RPMs. Rock crawlers may use stock electric motors and lower equipment setups that deliver stable electricity at low rates of speed to help get right up and over those stones.

High Clearance / Low Centre of Gravity. You do not want your framework dragging in the rocks nevertheless, you also don't want an RC that will word of advice over when climbing a steep rock hill. The top tires on the rock crawler help supply the necessary earth clearance. While you increase that vehicle up high you might wrap up with an RC that tips over too easily so you will want to balance clearance with a minimal middle of gravity. And you will want to be certain the weight is not absolutely all in the trunk where it can draw the RC back again and not let it climb as well. Putting things like the battery to the front of the rear can help with weight distribution instead.

Maneuverability/Steering. Climbing has uneven floors and requires a whole lot of twisting and turning so rock climbers need good tender not stiff suspension system and steering. Most rock climbers shall have 4-steering wheel drive and many have 4-steering wheel steering as well.

4-Wheel Drive - 4-steering wheel steering 's been around in the RC hobby since at least the 1980's (that I understand of). This means that 4 wheels be capable of control what course the vehicle converts. In the event that you were to check out the vehicle ranking over it looking down and flip the front rims left the back tires would be facing right. With the right 4WS installation you can also do aspect stepping or crab walking where all wheels submit the same course.

What 4WS opportunity for RC rock crawlers is an improved ability to go in small areas, overcome the uneven floors, and also have better traction. Among the best RCs growing up was the Tamiya Clod Buster monster vehicle which was prepared with 4-steering wheel steering. Not absolutely all RC rock climbers have 4WS but this is a common feature and one common upgrade.

Unlike other styles of RC driving a vehicle, with RC rock crawlers you will also want locked differentials. Not absolutely all rims are in touch with the bottom or stones at fine times. If not locked, the differentials may send capacity to the wheels that are off the bottom as opposed to the ones that require the energy to overcome the rock.

Traction. Narrower off-road rims and auto tires are normal on rock crawlers. A narrower rim puts more tread on the sidewall and provides rock crawlers better traction all-around because the tires aren't running on a good, even surface as if you find on RC paths -- off-road or on-road. Rock crawler tires routinely have deep, chunky treads and are very soft reasonably. Although you can glue rims and tires, some rock crawlers prefer to use bead-lock rims. Among the advantages would be that the tire doesn't distinguish from the rim easily when put through the strain of rock crawling.

If you want to know more about RC rock crawlers, check out our Home Page for more posts from us.

The game is more about power and manoeuvring, about overcoming obstacles and extremely uneven terrain. Most other RCs aren't built to take the kind of terrain a rock crawler was meant to cover.

Yes, monster trucks might be able to do the same, but rock crawlers have the edge of being built for it. Monster truck RC tends to focus more on using size, rather than manoeuvring, to get past obstacles.

With that in mind, today we'll spend some time helping the amateurs and beginners out there. We're going to take a look at what makes RC rock crawlers what they are, and some ideas on what makes some good and some bad.

We'll be focusing on the core elements of their design that make them stand out.

Power is indispensable.

Rock crawlers have a lot of controlled power – torque. High speed and RPM are less of a concern. Electric motors are standard, along with lower gears. The setup allows for constant power at low speeds.

A combination of high clearance and low centre of gravity is integral.

A chassis that's too low means that it's dragging over rocks. Too high and it'll cause the crawler to tip over when climbing something steep. Large tires give ground clearance, while the distribution of weight allows it to rise.

The battery will end up in the front, rather than the rear, for weight distribution purposes.

Steering and manoeuvrability are essential to a rock crawler.

Rock climbing involves uneven surfaces. Twisting and turning are pretty standard things. You need the suspension and steering to be soft, rather than stiff.

Both four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering show up on most climbers.

For RC rock crawlers, four-wheel steering gives it better traction and manoeuvrability in small areas. Not all models have this sort of steering, but they're a standard upgrade. If you have a good setup, you can even try side stepping or crab walking with your RC.

With rock crawlers, you want locked differentials.

Not all the wheels are going to be touching the ground all the time. If you don't lock the differentials, you'll be sending power to wheels that aren't on the ground. You don't want that.

Traction is important.

Tires and rims tend to be narrower on rock crawlers. Narrow rims put more tread on the sidewall and provide better traction. You'll want that because it keeps your RC on the ground, something that most RCs has difficulty with the outside of smooth surfaces.

So there you go. A simple look at the essential features of an RC rock crawler. We hope we've helped you get into an incredible hobby!

It is of a remote control limousine that is drifting... WHAT!?
We have never seen such a thing and think it is hilarious. What will be next? Rock crawling limo RC's? (we could be on to something here...)

anyway follow the link and watch the video and tell us what you think.

Our next event will be held at Bull Creek BMX track this weekend (31st October) with an 11am start. We currently have 6 people entered with the potential of more to come.

If you are interested to come and spectate, entry is free, and if you wish to enter the event you can sign up at the day (please arrive at 10am)

Based In Mandurah WA, we are Western Australia's only remote control rock crawling association.

We host monthly rock crawling events, ranging from coast/beach locations to woods, to urban terrain. Using the latest and greatest scale model rock crawling 4x4's we replicate the real thing as close as possible.

Here we will discuss events and general chit chat about our club and hobby. Come down at check it out sometime.